Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Mata Atlantica

The Atlantic Forest or "Mata Atlantica“ stretches along the eastern coast of Brazil, inland to Paraguay, and in the province of Misiones in northeastern Argentina and a bit of Uruguay. The biodiversity of this rain-forest is high. But sadly it is said to be just 7% of the size that it was 500 years ago. Many plants and animals here are endangered. I have been to parts of this wonderful forest before (in SE Brazil, see photo) and will soon be there again, in Misiones, spending a week. My main aim is to observe Helmeted Woodpecker Dryocopus galeatus, a relative of Black Woodpecker, a very localised species, classified as vulnerable... I will let you know.

Bio

Has been interested in birds, and all wildlife, for as long as he can remember. A very experienced European birding & wildlife guide he founded Probirder (www.probirder.com) a guiding service for birders visiting C & E Europe over 20 years ago. His knowledge of the birding sites of the region is second to none, having visited every country from the Baltic in the north to the Black Sea in the south. He is also a widely published author (books listed above). His main ornithological interest focuses on the Picidae (woodpeckers). He is author of the acclaimed handbook Woodpeckers of Europe and also The Black Woodpecker - A monograph on Dryocopus martius. He also maintains blogs on the European species and all world woodpeckers. Gerard has traveled to 5 continents in search of picids and his book WOODPECKERS OF THE WORLD - The Complete Guide, was published in June 2014.